The meeting commenced at 1pm by viewing a couple of short videos about robot arms from
ABB Robotics.

Next, we had introductions by Jake followed by the usual literature giveaways.

Jake has a lending library of other group's newsletters (the Seattle club, for example) that
CRS members can borrow.

The master e-mail list was passed around for updates and additions. Also Jake reminded everyone that the membership list is now available in hardcopy format. The list has e-mail address, name, and phone.

Next, Bill Ruehl got up and spoke about what will happen with the club from March through next year.

The video in the beginning will be shortened to 15 minutes.

We will start having 1/2 hour "tech topics" during the meeting. Chris Graf will start with building
bases and working with materials. Bill will do one on DC motor control and PWM.

There is a call out to the membership to drive the topics. Let Jake, Bill or Jim know what you
want to learn.

The sumo contest has been moved to the fall. Bill would like to do a workshop on sumo during
the summer months (July and August).

In order to facilitate involvement, we are exploring the idea of forming teams of members with
complementry skills to work on contests like the sumo. A robot to compete in the contest would be the
product of the team. That way one person doesn't have to face the daunting task of building a complete
robot from start to finish. Also, you will learn from the other team members what you don't know yourself.
Let one of the officers (Jake, Bill, or Jim) know if you would like to be involved in a team.

Marc Warren was up next. Marc had a vintage Heath oscilloscope to give away (editor's note: at the
end of the meeting Marc tried to demo it for some unsuspecting members and the beast belched out
some very acrid smelling white smoke, good try Marc - it was the thought that counts). Also Marc
told the group to check out pictures of Max on www.acroname.com

The tee-shirt order came in. See Jake for pickup. The cost is $15.

Next, Jake spoke about his and Bill's hack of Chris Graf's power supplies that enabled them to be
variable via a pot.

Jake brought in a big box of Airpax stepper motors that he would sell to the members present for
50 cents each - a real steal. The money went to the club. The motors run on 6-12 volts, and
Jake made up some documenation that shows the stepping sequence.

Jake also had a stepper motor demo that he showed off. A photocell controlled the speed of the
motor.

Next, one of our new members, whose name I neglected to get, showed off a robot arm that
he build for a science fair back in the '80s. The arm sported DC motors to threaded rods and
a car windshield wiper motor in the base. He wants to rejuvenate it with current micros, etc.

Jake then gave a brief discussion on using a PC parallel printer port for real world i/o.

Bill talked about the CRS PIC programmer bundle consisting of ME Lab's PBASIC compiler, SuperPIC programmer by Bill, and improved manuals (one written by Jake). We need 8-10 orders to get the ME Labs 50% discount off the compiler. (editor's note: By the end of the meeting, nine members committed to purchasing the bundle and a 10th contacted us via e-mail).

The discussion then turned to PC board layout software. It was stated that Eagle makes some good free software for this purpose.

A request was made for someone willing to work with (i.e. mentor (for pay)) 2 kids in East Haddam, CT in getting started with robotics. These are 7th graders who have Lego MindStorms. If you are interested contact Pam G. at ppbg@aol.com.

The meeting was then opened up for show and tell. First Scott demo'ed his Fire Fighting robot. It was our hope to have the practice session for the March maze running contest but it appeared that Scott was the only one who brought in a robot to run so we didn't get to go downstairs to the Trinity maze for the practice session. Thanks to Scott for bringing in his contestant.

Kevin made a little walking robot out of two R/C servos. It had wire legs and did an excellent job of moving around. Good job, Kevin!

We have had a friend from India following the CRS via the web. He has come to the USA to work on a Master's degree and he was at the meeting this month. Bhargav talked about a walking robot that he was familiar with.

Scott showed off his copy of Mobile Robots the second edition.

And finally there was a fellow who had an electric car in the parking lot that he wanted to show to all interested parties. It was a converted Geo Metro.